This is a weekly update on the legislation and guidance on coronavirus COVID-19 up to Saturday, 19 September; it is intended as a quick reference to the latest developments. New items will be added throughout each week as they become available, and at the same time as they are included in COVID-19 Coronavirus: legislation and guidance (II) which has links to other weekly updates.
Sunday 13 September to Saturday 19 September
Law and Religion UK
- Choirs and the “rule of six” – new advice. Updated FAQ “How does the ‘rule of six’ apply to choirs?” and Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advice on the Conduct of Public Worship, v2.4.
- COVID-19: Church of England and RSCM updates, Guidance on “the rule of six”.
- High Holy Day services and gatherings: COVID-19 checklist. Government guidance for Jewish congregations in England, 14 September.
- Law and religion round-up – 13 September. New social distancing rules; Coronavirus and the Curtailment of Religious Liberty: A Global Review.
Church of England
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advice on the Conduct of Public Worship, v2.4. Updated 17 September.
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for churches Last updated Tuesday September 15 at 13:45 “The Government has issued an updated version of its guidance for the safe use of places of worship during the pandemic in light of the new ‘rule of six’ regulations. The Church of England is continuing to engage with the Government. All of the advice below is being reviewed. Updates and amendments will be highlighted at the top of [its web page] as they are made.
- General Synod September 2020. All relevant information, documents and papers for the Special Session of General Synod on 24 September 2020.
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for churches, 17 September. New FAQs on “rule of six”
Legislation
- The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2)(England) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2020, SI 2020/986. These Regulations amend the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) Regulations 2020 SI 2020/684, so that people may not participate in social gatherings, in any place, in groups of more than 6, unless they are members of the same household, two linked households, or exceptions apply.
In areas covered by the Coronavirus, Restrictions relating to: Blackburn with Darwen and Bradford; Leicester; North of England) Regulations 2020 and the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions); and Bolton, the change only applies in relation to social gatherings which take place otherwise than in private dwellings. - The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Functions of Local Authorities) (Wales) Regulations 2020, WSI 2020/984 (W. 221) Provides local authorities in Wales with powers to control premises, events and public places in their areas to help control coronavirus within their areas. Includes closing premises and public places and stopping events where necessary.
- The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Birmingham, Sandwell and Solihull) Regulations 2020, SI 2020/988. Impose restrictions on gatherings of two or more persons in private dwellings in Birmingham, Sandwell and Solihull. They also impose restrictions on persons who live in Birmingham, Solihull and Sandwell participating in gatherings of two or more persons in private dwellings outside of those areas.
- The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Leicester) (No. 2) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2020, SI 2020/987. Permit the following to reopen from 15th September 2020 in the area of Leicester City Council: casinos, indoor skating rinks, indoor play areas (including soft play areas), bowling alleys and conference centres and exhibition halls.
- The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 4) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 SR 2020/198. Amend the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 by applying restrictions in the protected area as defined. The restrictions permit a gathering of one household indoors at a private dwelling, and of up to six persons from up to two households outdoors at a private dwelling. Certain exemptions to those restrictions are allowed.
- The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (North East of England) Regulations 2020 SI 2020/1010. Impose restricted opening hours on businesses selling goods or providing services in certain areas in North East England.
- The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Obligations of Hospitality Undertakings) (England) Regulations 2020, SI 2020/1008. Require certain undertakings in the hospitality industry, to take measures to ensure that their customers follow the rules on social distancing.
- The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Collection of Contact Details etc and Related Requirements) Regulations 2020, SI 2020/1005. See DHSC guidance, below.
- The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 2) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 10) (Rhondda Cynon Taf) Regulations 2020, WSI 2020/1007 (W 224), Designate Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough as a local health protection area that is subject to specific restrictions and requirements
Local lockdown restrictions
- Local restrictions: areas with an outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19), [England]. DHSC, updated 9 September. Areas with local restrictions; Managing local outbreaks; News stories.
- Coronavirus (COVID-19): local advice and measures, [Scotland].
- Local lockdown, Guidance and services, [Wales].
- Coronavirus (COVID-19): regulations and localised restrictions. [Northern Ireland]
Guidance
- COVID-19: Guidance for the safe use of multi-purpose community facilities, MHCLG, 14 September.
- Maintaining records of staff, customers and visitors to support NHS Test and Trace, DHSC, 18 September. “In places of worship, where this is not a legal requirement, consent to collect the data should still be sought from individuals”.
Other
- COVID-19: Guidance for Safely Resuming Group Music-making in Church, RSCM, 17 September. FAQs on “rule of six”.
- Additional Questions and Answers, RSCM, 7 September.
Post last updated, 19 September 07;21.
Cite this article as: David Pocklington, "New COVID-19 legislation and guidance to 19 September" in Law & Religion UK, 14 September 2020, https://lawandreligionuk.com/2020/09/14/new-covid-19-legislation-and-guidance-to-19-september/
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